Young Thespians: 'Les Mis' storms the snow drifts in Chardon

Perhaps the folks at Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild in Chardon thought it appropriate to bring "Les Miserables" to their old movie theater on the square since it seems to already be playing in every other movie theater.

No? Well, it sounded plausible.

Anyone who knows anything about the Victor Hugo story adapted into the popular film now vying for multiple Oscars knows that it was a stage musical first. And to the stage it shall return beginning this weekend as the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild's 2013 "Skip Kelley" Youth Production. This school edition of the popular Broadway staple features young thespians from throughout the area and is directed by Karen O'Baker Porter.

As the Guild folks remind us, "Les Mis" is how fans refer to this show, the second longest running musical in the world. Set in France during social revolutions, the story follows a man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, his adopted daughter and her unfortunate mother, street urchins and noble university students.

Advertisement

"Les Miserables, School Edition" features book by Alain Boulil, music by Caude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretizmer and Alain Boulil, and is sponsored by Lake Health.

The show runs Friday through Feb. 10. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. All tickets are $12. The historic Geauga Theater is located on Chardon Square at 101 Water St. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.geaugatheater.org or call the box office at 440-286-2255.

The GLTG folks sent me a brief history of this annual slot in their production schedule. Stuart "Skip" Kelley, the man for whom the youth program is dedicated, was a strong proponent of involving youth in every aspect of theater production.

Skip passed away in 2005 after leaving an indelible mark on the young men and women he inspired over the years, many of whom moved on to careers in theater, sound production, and lighting design.

In 2008, two of Skip's proteges approached the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild board with the idea of starting an auditioned Youth Theater show.

It proved to be a success in 2009, and the Skip Kelley Youth Production is now a part of the Guild's regular season each year.

"Les Miserables" will be the title for 2013, and Porter is at the helm of this menagerie.

"The challenge with this show for any age is to accurately connect with the severity of the challenges these characters face throughout the show," she said. "Not many of us are destitute enough to have to turn to such an unfavorable profession as Fantine, or be desperate enough to have to change our identity to have a chance at a better life as Val Jean is forced to do.

"Adults will have more life lessons to pull from for roles like this, but with teens, finding the depth of emotion in their lives to make it as real for them as possible has been the challenge," Porter said. "I've done my best to paint the pictures of what it may have been like so they can find their place."

Of course, if the kids have any trouble with visualization, they could always head to the local multiplex.

"I would say most of us saw the movie," Porter said. "It wasn't something I encouraged or discouraged but I believe what the film did help express to them is how each lyric needs to be delivered as if it is 'dialogue' to help further along the storyline.

"We did have some interesting discussions about directing choices made in the movie regarding character and delivery," she said. "The movie also helped show what is virtually impossible to put on stage, such as the filth of the sewer; allowing the actors a vivid reference."

Producer Civia Wiesner said that the cast's passion "can be heard as our actors practice singing songs from 'Les Miserables' while walking to and from their cars and as you listen to them talk about going to see the current movie on multiple occasions."

"Many of them are watching every version of the show possible, including the black and white, non-musical version from 1935 with Charles Laughton," Wiesner tells me. "One of the actors is even attempting to read the epic tome by Victor Hugo."

Jacob Hamblen, a Chardon High School senior, plays Javert, the prison guard and officer who crosses paths with Jean Valjean throughout the play.

"I really enjoy Javert's complex emotions and the challenge of portraying those emotions effectively for the audience," Hamblen said. "This role has always been a dream role for me. I have a great cast to work with and, as anyone in theater knows, acting becomes much easier when you have great actors to work with."

Catherine Massiello is an 18-year-old senior from Chardon High School who is active in the school show choir, Free Harmony and the drama club. She has appeared in GLTG's productions of "High School Musical," "A Christmas Carol," "West Side Story," and "Our Town" and Chardon's productions of "Sound of Music," "The Secret Garden," "The Wizard of Oz," and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

In "Les Mis," Massiello plays Cosette.

"Cosette is one of the least developed characters," Massiello believes.

"Her story is deep, but I feel that many actresses who have portrayed her have trouble connecting it all. This is ultimately a story of hope. Yes, it is titled 'The Miserable,' but the ultimate goal of this cast of characters is to portray a passion for their cause, and a willingness to give of themselves to achieve a seemingly impossible goal.

"Of any of the cast members, I am the one sniffling in the corner through the majority of my time backstage," she continued. "It is a beautiful story told through a breathtaking score."

Emily Zart is a 17-year-old senior from Concord Township who attends Andrews Osborne Academy. She has appeared in numerous productions there as well as at GLTG and the Fairmount Performing Arts Center. She plays Eponine.

"I have seen actresses play Eponine in two ways -- really emotionally moving or really whiny," Emily observed. "I have been working hard to eliminate the whiny side! I have a lot of respect for her character and want to do my best to show how beautiful and tragic her story is.

"The main thing that I really like about Eponine is that she is so much in love that she is completely selfless," she continued. "She will do anything for Marius, even though he hardly shows any appreciation. Some may say that this is a little pathetic on her part, but I can't help but find it romantic."

Will Becker is a 16-year-old junior from Middlefield who attends Cardinal High School. He has appeared there in "The Music Man" as well as numerous GLTG shows. Will plays Marius in "Les Mis."

"I am hoping to bring a soft, gentle, loving and emotional side to Marius but at the same time portray his dedication to the cause and to his friends," he said. "I think 'Les Mis' has struck a chord with audiences over the years because the show is so real. Most shows are predictable they all have conflict but result in a happy ending. 'Les Mis' on the other had is different in the sense that it is very raw. It is real situations that were not always pretty and happy, but real.

"Having such a successful film out at the same time that we are working on the same production is not easy but I feel like the Geauga Theaters version of 'Les Miserables' is one of its own."

My e-mail has changed after many years to stevecouch@windstream.net. Please make a note of it so you can submit show information to the right place!